Kumamoto AEON Mall Search Ends: 7 Employees Dead, 5 Injured in Post-Quake Explosion

Search and rescue operations have officially concluded at AEON MALL Kumamoto in Japan, following a devastating explosion that occurred after a major earthquake on July 28. The incident tragically claimed the lives of seven mall employees and left five others injured.

Police and fire departments deployed heavy machinery for days to clear debris and conduct thorough searches in the heavily damaged central area of the building. After repeated sweeps and no reports of missing persons, authorities declared the end of the search. The explosion is preliminarily suspected to be a result of gas leaks from pipelines that were displaced by the strong earthquake, leading to a massive gas explosion. The exact cause is still under investigation.

“

AEON expresses its deepest condolences to the employees who lost their lives in the accident, and offers its sincerest apologies to the families of the bereaved and the injured.

AEON issued a statement expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased employees and offering sincere apologies to the injured and their families. The company also extended gratitude to the police, fire departments, and Self-Defense Forces for their rescue efforts. AEON pledged full cooperation with administrative agencies and emergency services to clarify the facts and determine the cause of the explosion, emphasizing that necessary safety checks will be conducted.

The five injured individuals were all employees of stores within the mall. Four sustained injuries during the earthquake itself, while one was injured in the subsequent explosion. They are currently receiving medical treatment and support.

“

We will fully cooperate with administrative agencies and police and fire departments to clarify the facts and determine the cause of the explosion.